Author: Dr. Mohanad Atwa — Prosthodontist and Cosmetic Implantology, FRCD(C), AQUA Dent Clinics, Corniche Road - Al-Shati District, Jeddah.

Last updated: May 2026 — This article reflects real Jeddah pricing for 2026 and a detailed comparison built on more than 250 cases we have treated at AQUA Dent Clinics since 2021.

30-Second Summary

If you have lost all the teeth in one or both jaws, you have three main options at AQUA Dent:

Conventional removable denture: the budget option. Sits on the gums, moves while eating, requires adhesive
Implant-retained overdenture (two implants): still removable for cleaning but anchored on two implants — significantly more stable
Fixed All-on-4: SAR 28,000 to 37,500 per arch. Fully fixed, never removed, functions almost like your natural teeth
All-on-6 for added stability: SAR 33,000 to 42,000 per arch. Better load distribution for those who want extra strength

Our honest recommendation: if you can afford the cost, All-on-4 is worth every riyal. A conventional removable denture is a medically acceptable choice for those who cannot afford it, but it is not “the reasonable alternative” — quality of life is genuinely different. If your budget sits in the middle, an implant-retained overdenture on two implants is an excellent compromise.

The Full Comparison Table

Criterion	Conventional Denture	2-Implant Overdenture	All-on-4	All-on-6
Cost per arch (SAR)	The budget option	Mid-range	28,000 – 37,500	33,000 – 42,000
Stability while eating	Weak, needs adhesive	Good — does not come out, may rock slightly	Excellent — fully fixed	Excellent
Sense of taste	Reduced (covers the palate)	Very good	100% natural	100% natural
How much can you chew?	20 to 30% of natural tooth strength	50 to 70%	85 to 95%	90 to 95%
Do you remove it at night?	Yes	Yes (for cleaning)	No, fixed permanently	No, fixed permanently
Repairability	Easy, inexpensive	Moderate	Requires a specialist	Requires a specialist
Total treatment time	2 to 4 weeks	3 to 4 months	4 to 6 months	4 to 6 months
Expected lifespan before replacement	5 to 10 years	10 to 15 years	15 to 25 years	20+ years
Effect on jaw bone	Bone loss continues	Slows bone loss partially	Preserves bone 100%	Preserves bone 100%

How All-on-4 Works — A Plain Explanation

Imagine that a full arch of teeth (12 to 14 teeth) would need 12 implants to replace each individual tooth — this is expensive and unrealistic in cases of bone loss. In 2003, the Portuguese Dr. Paulo Maló invented a technique that replaces the full arch with only four implants:

Two anterior implants: placed vertically in the front jaw bone (where bone is always strong)
Two posterior tilted implants: placed at a 30 to 45 degree angle to avoid the maxillary sinus and to distribute load over a larger surface
Full bridge of 12 to 14 teeth: screwed onto the four implants (the dentist can unscrew it for maintenance every 5 years)

The big surprise: you walk out of the clinic the same day with a complete set of provisional teeth, fully shaped and functional. The final prosthesis is fitted 4 to 6 months later, after the implants heal.

When All-on-4 Is Not Right for You

Severe bone loss in the upper jaw: You may need zygomatic implants instead (an advanced case)
Heavy smoker who cannot quit: All-on-4 failure rates rise from 3 to 5% to 12 to 18%
Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c above 8.5): Get the diabetes under control first
Severe bruxism: Possible but requires a lifelong night guard

The Full Timeline for All-on-4 at AQUA Dent Clinics

Day 0 — Consultation and CBCT (90 minutes): Comprehensive examination, 3D imaging, complete treatment plan
Week 1 to 2 — Digital planning: We plan every implant on computer software, then 3D-print a surgical guide and provisional prosthesis
Week 3 — Implant surgery (3 to 4 hours under IV sedation): Extraction of remaining teeth if any, placement of 4 implants, fitting of the provisional prosthesis the same day
Months 1 to 4 — Osseointegration: You eat with the provisional (avoid extremely hard foods), monthly checkups
Month 4 to 5 — Final impression: Precise 3D scan
Month 5 to 6 — Final prosthesis placement: 2 to 3 sessions to fine-tune the bite plus the final fitting
Every 6 months thereafter — Maintenance: Examination plus deep cleaning
Every 5 years — Comprehensive maintenance: The prosthesis is removed, implants are cleaned, screws are lubricated, and it is re-installed

How to Choose the Right Clinic for All-on-4 in Jeddah

These are the five questions you should ask any clinic before committing:

How many All-on-4 cases have you completed? Less than 50 cases = limited experience. More than 200 cases = good experience. AQUA Dent Clinics has completed more than 250 cases since 2021.
Do you use a globally accredited implant system? Swiss Straumann or Nobel Biocare exclusively at AQUA — never Korean or unbranded systems.
Do you work with 3D digital planning plus a printed surgical guide? The answer should be yes. Free-hand placement ended in 2018.
What is your warranty on the implants and prosthesis? AQUA Dent Clinics warrants the implants for life (if they fail, we re-place them at no charge) and the prosthesis for 5 years.
Do you have certified IV sedation and medical monitoring? All-on-4 under local anesthesia only is a punishing experience. Light IV sedation makes a 4-hour session feel like 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the teeth feel “strange” to me?

Week one: yes, you feel “something new in my mouth.” Week two: 70% of the sensation normalizes. Week four: you forget about it entirely and function normally. Many of our patients say “I find them better than my natural teeth in their last years.”

How do I clean it?

A regular toothbrush twice daily plus a Water Flosser every night. Super floss once a week underneath the prosthesis. Clinic visits every 6 months for a deep cleaning.

Can I eat anything?

After the final prosthesis is placed: yes, almost anything. Avoid only: whole walnuts (grind them first), ice, hard caramels, and using your teeth to open packages. Everything else is fine.

Does insurance cover All-on-4?

Most premium policies (Bupa, Tawuniya, MedGulf, MedNet, Allianz) cover 50 to 70% of implant costs with a medical report establishing necessity. AQUA Dent Clinics does not bill insurance directly, but we prepare the medical report plus radiographs in a submission-ready format for you.

What is the difference between All-on-4 and snap-in dentures?

Snap-in (the implant-retained overdenture on two implants) is removable — you take it out at night for cleaning. All-on-4 is permanently fixed. The first is less expensive; the second offers more comfort, stability, and function.

Book an All-on-4 Assessment at AQUA Dent Clinics

For full-arch cases (one or both jaws), we offer a comprehensive assessment consultation that includes CBCT imaging and a complete written treatment plan with precise pricing before any commitment. It takes 60 to 90 minutes.

Phone: 920035788
WhatsApp — All-on-4 consultation: https://wa.me/966920035788
Booking: aquadentistry.com/contact
2444 Taha Al-Khusaifan Street, Al-Shati District, Office 1006, Jeddah 23511

Dr. Mohanad Atwa — Prosthodontist, Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (FRCD-C), more than 15 years of experience in full-mouth rehabilitation cases.

The information is for general education and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. Each case is individual — consult a licensed dentist before any treatment decision.